PRP Now! Reid Joslin // Allied Works Architecture
PRP Now! aims to showcase the great experiences students encounter within the Professional Residency Program. PRP offers upper-level architecture students a unique opportunity to expand their education through work experience in the architectural profession. Over the past twenty years, our students have been linked with 260 firms in 29 countries. We will feature a handful of students within each session, graduate and undergrad, domestic and international firms. PRP staff mostly recently had the pleasure to speak with Reid Joslin [B.Arch. '16] about his experience:
PRP: Tell us about your PRP firm. Where are you working?
I am working at Allied Works Architecture in Portland, OR. The firm tackles a wide scope of projects ranging from furniture, installations, to residential and cultural works. AWA has two offices. The headquarters here in Portland is about 30 people, and the New York office is around 15. The offices are entirely collaborative, with the principals constantly going back and forth. A few of the current projects in the works are the National Music Centre of Canada in Calgary, a US embassy in Mozambique, a Veterans Museum in Columbus, OH, and an Allied Works drawing and model exhibition to open at the Denver Art Museum later this year. AWA is super process driven, engaging in all types of mediums to explore each project's specificity and potential. It's been incredible to see so much experimentation and testing.
PRP: Do you enjoy the city you’re working in? Favorite aspects?
Portland is great. It's not an unfamiliar vibe to Austin, and the amazing public transit makes getting around a breeze. My favorite thing is its proximity to some of the most beautiful landscapes I have ever seen. The mountains (and volcanoes), the Willamette Valley (wine country), the Columbia River Gorge, and of course the Oregon coast are all only about an hour's drive from downtown. I had never been to this part of the country before and have been able to explore quite a bit!!
PRP: What is currently on your desk? What are you working on?
Since I started I've been working on the Ohio Veterans Museum in Columbus. We are busy in CDs and my role has mostly been visualization (modeling and rendering) to help in coordination with the many consultants on this project. It's been a lively process and great to be able to work so closely with the design team. On my desk I have a pine cone, a seed pod, about 8 black pens, a computer, a highlighter, a large notepad, sticky-notes everywhere, a couple of plan sets, an elevation, a dozen test renders, end-grain floor samples, some wire mesh, and various interior detail sheets. Also a cup of mint tea and some peanut butter-filled pretzels.
PRP: Can you describe the firm culture? The office atmosphere?
The office space is really bright and airy on the top floor of a renovated building downtown. High ceilings and exposed white-painted rafters make it very open and convivial. Large desks with no dividers. It's all basically one room, very much a studio atmosphere. The firm culture is rigorous and fast-paced, but also very casual and relaxed. There's always music playing (lots of Tom Petty lately), and everyone enjoys a nice happy hour to celebrate the end of a crazy week. Every Monday morning we have an all staff Skype with the NY office so both coasts give an overview of everything on the radar for the upcoming week. It's always great to hear about the other projects.
PRP: What is the first thing you'll tell your classmates upon your return to UT?
AWA is an incredible firm, and I have learned so much in such a short time. It's been a steep learning curve, but so rewarding. UT is lucky to be able to facilitate these kinds of internships before graduation. It's been such a worthwhile layer of experience to add to my education.
PRP: As you’re finishing up the week, what are your plans for this weekend?
Planning a trip to Eastern Oregon! To see what it's like past the Cascades.